Skip to main content

Search NYU Steinhardt

The 51-credit master’s program in Visual Arts Administration will prepare you for management careers and leadership roles in art institutions and cultural organizations. You will become an expert in the cultural and economic environment of fine art while also learning professional skills such as fundraising, marketing, and financial management. 

Core Course Sequence

The core courses in the Visual Arts Administration program cover law and the visual arts, the environment of visual arts administration, and digital technologies in art organizations. These classes provide a groundwork as you choose electives and an area of concentration. You will also take courses at the Stern School of Business and the Wagner School of Public Service, complete internships chosen from a variety of prominent local galleries, museums, and arts organizations, and have the chance to study abroad. You will have the opportunity to choose a concentration in Arts Management or Arts Markets.

Culminating Experience

In your final semester, you will complete a substantial capstone project in weekly sessions where your work in progress is shared with classmates and faculty, and presented in a conference-style showcase at the end of the year.

Program Requirements

The program requires the completion of 51 credits, comprised of the following:

Course Title Credits
Major Requirements
Core Courses
ARVA-GE 2028Law and The Visual Arts3
ARVA-GE 2030Environment Visual Arts Administration3
ARVA-GE 2133Strategic Planning and Governance Visual Arts3
ARVA-GE 2109Digital Technologies and the Art Organization3
ARVA-GE 2302Internship in Visual Arts Administration (can be taken for 0 or 3 credits)0-3
Business & Management Courses
Students choose one pathway: For-Profit OR Not-For-Profit9
For-Profit
COR1-GB 1302
Leadership in Organizations
COR1-GB 1306
Financial Accounting and Reporting
COR1-GB 2310
Marketing
Non-For-Profit
COR1-GB 1302
Leadership in Organizations
PADM-GP 2144
Debt Financing and Management for Public Organizations
PADM-GP 2119
Marketing for Nonprofit Organizations
or COR1-GB 2310
Marketing
Primary Area of Study
Students choose one Primary Area of Study:6
Institutions
ARVA-GE 2027
Interpreting Exhibitions
ARVA-GE 2032
Development for The Visual Arts
Markets
ARVA-GE 2076
Visual Arts Markets
ARVA-GE 2171
Appraisal & Valuation of Art
Electives15-18
Students complete 15-18 elective credits by advisement. Students can choose to use some or all of these credits to complete additional Areas of Study by advisement. Potential Areas of Study: Curation + Collections, The Work of Art, Art and Its Publics, Art and Capital, Making as Method.
Final Project Sequence
ARVA-GE 2299Research in Visual Arts Administration3
ARVA-GE 2301Final Project in Visual Arts Administration3
Total Credits51

Additional Information

The course sequence is determined by advisement and tailored to the needs of each individual student. Courses are offered on a rotating basis so that part-time students can finish the program in three years.

Students take entry-level business courses at the NYU Leonard N. Stern School of Business and the Robert F. Wagner Graduate School of Public Service and fulfill at least 3 credits of internships with a range of sponsors, including galleries, museums, and other arts organizations. 

In addition to business and internship requirements, students in both areas of the program must complete a substantial, well-researched master’s thesis. Research focuses on a particular interest or issue in the visual arts administration field; this is a two-semester sequence that begins with an interactive seminar. Students complete the thesis during their last semester in the program.  

The program offers two international study abroad opportunities: Visual Arts and Performing Arts Administration in Paris and Berlin and Exhibition and Display of Art and Material Culture in London.

 

Sample Plan of Study

Plan of Study Grid
1st Semester/TermCredits
ARVA-GE 2030 Environment of Visual Arts 3
ARVA-GE 2133 Strategic Planning & Governance 3
COR1-GB 1302 Leadership in Organizations 3
Guided Elective 3
Colloquium 0
 Credits12
2nd Semester/Term
ARVA-GE 2028 Law and the Visual Arts 3
ARVA-GE 2109 Digital Technologies 3
COR1-GB 2310 Marketing 3
Guided Elective Primary Area of Study 3
Colloquium 0
 Credits12
3rd Semester/Term
London Study Abroad Elective 3
 Credits3
4th Semester/Term
ARVA-GE 2299 Research in Visual Arts Administration 2
Guided Elective in Business & Management 3
Guided Elective in Primary Area of Study 3
Guided Electives 6
Colloquium 0
 Credits14
5th Semester/Term
ARVA-GE 2301 Final Project in Visual Arts Administration 1
ARVA-GE 2302 Internship in Visual Arts Administration 3
Guided Electives 6
Colloquium 0
 Credits10
 Total Credits51

Take the Next Step

Advance your personal and professional journey – apply to join our community of students.

Apply Now